The Evil Empress Adores Me - Side Story 19

“Mhmm, Mmm.” 

 

Damian and Charlize had been exchanging discreet looks at each other, but quickly dropped them as their meal approached. 

 

They figured they might as well deal with the awkward moment by letting their taste buds savor the food before them.  

 

Undoubtedly, the thought crossed both their minds. 

 

‘Oh, this is delicious.’

 

The food complimented their palates and then some. 

 

Well-seared meat, just oozing juices, not to mention the especially sweet sauce that enriched the dish. 

 

How about the buttery sauteed potatoes and crispy roasted asparagus?

 

“……Has anything ever tasted this good?”

 

Charlize, seemingly in a trance, cleared the plate in front of her without any hesitation. 

 

Drawn to the food, her hands encroached ever closer. 

 

Yet, at the moment, a narrowed eyed Empress stopped her. 

 

“Charlize, have you been fasting all day today by any chance?”

 

“What?” replied Charlize, having devoured a slice of steak and now looking back at the Empress.

 

The Empress’s expression subtly changed. 

 

“You normally don’t eat this much, did you?”

 

“Oh?”

 

Charlize blinked dazedly.

 

Suddenly, there was a mountain of cleaned, empty dishes in front of her.

 

Come to think of it…….

 

‘I’ve noticed that I seem to have more of an appetite lately than I used to.’

 

Being so gluttonous in front of everyone, she inadvertently smiled bashfully.

 

“Well, the Duke’s chef is exceptional….”

 

Crackle.

 

But just then, the sound of utensils clashing echoed. 

 

“Huh?”

 

Charlize glanced over to the side.

 

There was Damian, pale-faced, setting down the dishes in a rather rough motion.

 

“Damian? What’s wrong?”

 

“……No, it’s nothing.”

 

Damian shook his head and forced a smile.

 

A worried expression took over Charlize in an instant. 

 

“It didn’t seem like ‘nothing?’ Is something bothering you?”

 

“I’m fine, it’s just that the food all of a sudden smells repulsive to me.”

 

….the food smells repulsive?

 

But as far as Charlize knew, Damian wasn’t the type to be picky. 

 

In fact, he had eaten hardier foods before when it came to his survival. 

 

Partly because the previous Emperor had deceived him with poisoned food and partly because he’d spent so long in the army in the north that he’d gotten used to all kinds of rough food.

 

“Maybe, I’m feeling a bit queasy.”

 

“But……

 

“Don’t worry, I’ll get better soon.”

 

Damian soothed Charlize with affection.

 

But, that day.

 

He couldn’t even finish a glass of water.

 

A stomach ache stirred within him, and it wouldn’t subside. 

 

 

 

****

 

 

 

The Empress officially embarked on the path of becoming a florist, starting off greatly by organizing the Duke and Duchess of Rochester’s wedding. 

 

And she seems quite popular by the sound of it. 

 

Especially among the guests who attended the wedding, orders were pouring in by the number. 

 

And coincidentally, Charlize was visiting the Empress’s floral shop today. 

 

“Wow.”

 

Charlize’s eyes scanned the entire breadth of the room in awe.

 

This was undoubtedly a floral shop. 

 

The entire workshop was permeated with the sweet scent of flowers and the familiar smell of green grass.

 

The air touching her cheeks was damp with moisture.

 

“Your Majesty, the Empress!”

 

“Charlize!”

 

The Empress looked up from her seat, where she was delicately trimming the coveted freesia.

 

“Welcome home!”

 

“I hear you were very busy, so I apologize for my unexpected visit.”

 

“Oh, my God, why do you say that?” The Empress rolled her eyes, though not displeased.

 

“Charlize, you are always welcome.”

 

“Hehe.”

 

The two women headed to a corner of the workshop.

 

A space had been set aside for a light tea break.

 

The Empress offered Charlize a seat.

 

“Please take a seat.”

 

“Oh, thank you.”

 

As soon as they were seated, Charlize nudged the Empress.

 

“By the way, don’t you think you’ve been working too hard lately?”

 

“Huh?”

 

“Why not ask handmaiden Hayden for help?”

 

Charlize pouted her lips.

 

“The Empress toils day and night, and I’m getting worried that it’ll affect your health.”

 

“What about you, Charlize? I’m sure, as Empress, you’ve been more than busy as well,.”

 

“I take moderate breaks. Because……”

 

Charlize, who had been trying to finish her sentence without thinking, trailed off.

 

The fact that she’d been able to take a well-deserved break lately, all because of the Empress.

 

“Don’t exert yourself too much,” added the Empress.

 

“Pardon?”

 

“Because when your body’s exhausted, you won’t be able to bear a child.”

 

As she said this, the Empress looked at Charlize with a deep gaze.

 

It seems that Lisa’s pregnancy has triggered the Empress’s ‘love for grandchildren.’ 

 

Charlize sighed heavily.

 

Suddenly, the Empress jerked her head upwards because of what she heard earlier.

 

“What you said before… You said ‘Because.’”

 

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

 

Charlize quickly averted her gaze.

 

The Empress’s question was still fresh in her mind, yet for some reason, the sensation of her face flushing paused her. 

 

Meanwhile, the Empress’s expression grew a little sullen. 

 

“Oh, what’s this? Charlize is keeping secrets from me now?”

 

“What? No, it’s not like that……”

 

Charlize mumbled helplessly. 

 

Fortunately, thanks to the timely arrival of a maid bearing tea and refreshments, she was able to escape the awkward situation. 

 

“So, how do you like your work?”

 

“It’s incredibly gratifying. When I mix and match the color and shapes of various flowers, I can arrange them in surprisingly diverse ways. 

 

The Empress’s bright smile relayed no shades of gray on her complexion. 

 

“Oh, speaking of which, should we decorate the gardens of the Imperial Palace next?”

 

“Yes, let’s do that.”

 

Charlize, looking as free as a bird released from a cage, couldn’t help but contain a radiant smile.

 

In this way, the two of them engaged in a light-hearted conversation.

 

After some casual small talk, the topic finally shifted to…

 

“Damian has been feeling uncomfortable lately.”

 

It was about Damian. 

 

At the unexpected mention, the empress’s eyes widened.

 

“Oh my, Your Majesty?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“That’s quite strange.”

 

The Empress tilted her head quizzically.

 

“His Majesty is usually in excellent health, isn’t he? From what I see every time, he could gorge on iron and still remain perfectly fine.”

 

“Well, that’s what I thought at first, too……

 

Charlize’s shoulders drooped, unable to hide her concern.

 

“Lately, he’s barely been able to eat, barely making it through a light drink.”

 

“Is it that bad?”

 

“He said just the smell of food makes his stomach churn.”

 

She sighed.

 

“So, I suggested that she see a physician, but they found nothing wrong with her body.”

 

“Oh, really? Not even a hint of an abnormality?”

 

“No. It’s frustrating not knowing the cause because, without that, we can’t find a solution.”

 

As the Empress gazed at Charlize with a penetrating gaze, her eyes narrowed.

 

Crump, crump.

 

Contrary to her concerned expression, Charlize was voraciously biting into an almond cookie.

 

“…Is that cookie delicious?”

 

“Hmm? Oh.”

 

It was only now that Charlize realized she had absentmindedly been devouring the cookies.

 

“Could it be… I’ve eaten all the cookies?”

 

Charlize stared forlornly at the empty cookie basket.

 

The Empress opened her mouth with a mysterious expression on her face.

 

“If you enjoy those cookies, I’ll make sure to send some with you when you return to the palace.”

 

“Wow, really?”

 

Charlize’s expression, which had been gloomy just moments ago, brightened instantly.

 

The Empress looked at Charlize, whose eyes sparkled like a child’s, and spoke enigmatically.

 

“But, Charlize…”

 

“Yes, Your Majesty?”

 

“You should try……”

 

The Empress, momentarily clouding her words, cautiously made a suggestion.

 

“What if you were to seek medical attention?”

 

“Me?”

 

Charlize looked at the Empress with a bewildered expression on her face.

 

“But I have no ailing parts, Your Majesty.”

 

“Indeed, that seems to be the case in my eyes as well.”

 

The Empress narrowed her eyes and scrutinized Charlize from top to bottom.

 

Wherever she looked, it was still her Charlize.

 

Yet, it seemed that she had become slightly healthier, with cheeks as rosy as a ripe apple.

 

There appeared to be no issues with her health whatsoever.

 

However…

 

“Still, isn’t it a bit peculiar?”

 

“Peculiar, you say? What do you mean?”

 

“You’ve been eating so much lately.”

 

In an instant, her lilac-colored pupils shook as if struck by an earthquake.

 

“Oh… Could it be that you’re disappointed because I’m indulging in gluttony?”

 

“No, it’s not that!”

 

The Empress urgently raised her voice.

 

“Suddenly increasing your food intake like this, wouldn’t it be necessary to know the reason behind it?”

 

“…The reason?”

 

“Yes. If it’s simply due to the change of season or an increased appetite, then it’s fortunate…”

 

The Empress’s voice was filled with deep concern for Charlize.

 

“But just in case, I think it’s essential for you to receive medical attention from a physician.”

 

“Yes, as Your Majesty advises, I shall do so.”

 

Well, undergoing a health examination is not such a daunting task.

 

Charlize obediently nodded her head.

 

 

 

****

 

 

 

Charlize diligently followed the Empress’s advice.

 

Upon returning to the palace, she immediately underwent a medical examination with a physician.

 

And thus, an unexpected truth was revealed.

 

“I congratulate you.”

 

…Pardon?